Letter to the editor: Our nation needs constructive leadership

Where is the leadership in our country? Too many of our elected representatives have a "don't confuse me with the facts" attitude, seem hostile to science, ignore the lessons of history and base their voting decisions on rigid political ideology and preferences of special interests.

While respected scientists agree that potentially dangerous global climate changes are occurring and that human activity is a major contributor, some elected officials dismiss well-documented scientific evidence and base their decisions solely on party politics.

Failure to enact reasonable gun controls poses a demonstrated risk to public safety, but many representatives embrace the firearms industry's argument that modest government regulations would impose an undue burden on gun owners and violate Second Amendment rights. What is the burden? Where is the violation?

As streams and lakes in Iowa become increasingly polluted, politicians continue to claim that voluntary landowner compliance will solve the problems of soil erosion and chemical runoff. Where is the evidence for that assertion? How is the public interest protected?

Prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act, fewer and fewer people enjoyed health insurance protection and those who had coverage regularly experienced increased costs and reduced benefits. Inexplicably, some elected officials still insist that the free market can provide affordable, quality health care for all citizens, and they fight to limit government involvement.

When are elected officials going to set aside dogmatic ideology, learn from history, use objective information to solve problems, and work cooperatively to improve quality of life for all? The people are waiting for innovative, constructive, caring leadership.

- Dean R. Prestemon, Ames

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Letter to the editor: Our nation needs constructive leadership

Where is the leadership in our country? Too many of our elected representatives have a 'don't confuse me with the facts' attitude, seem hostile to science, ignore the lessons of history and base